POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 1, 2011) -- For the second week in a row the strong dynamic running of winger Jerry Dieudonne gave Vassar the impetus and belief in a close hard contest. Both teams began the day at 2-1 in divisional play but at the end of the 80 minutes it was Vassar that had improved to 3-1 while Fairfield dropped to 2-2.

Vassar College Men 19 v 13 Fairfield University Men
Tries: Jerry Dieudonne (1), Brett Anker (1).
Pens: Brett Anker (3).

Overall record: 3-1-0.

Next week: Sunday October 9, 2011 versus Seton Hall University kick-off 1:00 p.m. at Vassar College.

A loss this weekend after last Sunday's defeat to William Paterson University would have left Vassar staring down a long dark tunnel with only a pin prick of light visible. So it was time for the team to front up and improve dramatically on some serious flaws that appeared last week. That they did just that speaks to the mental side of the game for they applied what they had worked on in practice. It is also becoming very clear that it's going to take a big squad effort to succeed as they continue to strive to improve.

A number of chances went begging early on and Vassar made a host of unnecessary mistakes from silly penalties for offside or obstruction to plain simple knock-ons! They did take the lead with a Brett Anker penalty in the first 10 minutes to lead 3-0 but then gave up a try to fall behind 5-3 as the well organized Fairfield forwards peeled around the front of a lineout.

Neither team could seem to maintain pressure and the remainder of the half was a back and forth affair strewn with little errors. The Vassar pack scrummaged better this week and the forwards were disruptive at the breakdown. The lineout also functioned better but still not good enough to allow domination. Ian Ruginski is having a stellar season and the player, nicknamed "Sandwich," ran with purpose, tackled well, and did well in the lineout. Vassar was without flankers Tyksinski and Kenney, locks Andrew Massey and Andrew Moore, but the personnel were juggled and performed solidly. Joe Karpman is another of the unsung warriors and he too played hard all game.

In the backs James Purtle still tends to look like a Nebraska fullback as he lowers his shoulders and tries to break tackles but the unit as a whole is trying to work together. Akeel St. Vil is quick to support and that makes a huge difference in retaining possession. So at the alf it was 5-3 to Fairfield.

In the second half Vassar went up with a second penalty from Anker and led 6-5 but Fairfield responded with a penalty goal of their own and led 8-6. Then came Dieudonne's try. A good move by the Vassar backs saw the ball in the hands of Anker filling in at fullback for the yellow-carded Hayden Moon. Anker ran well and then pushed the ball wide to Dieudonne who was not going to be denied from 20 yards out. No conversion meant a slender 11-8 lead for the home team.

Fairfield then managed to steal the ball at a ruck and when they went left running in front of the sizable crowd on this chilly gray day, the left wing kicked ahead and outpaced the Vassar defense to touch down in goal. Fairfield were again in front 13-11. There were about 15 minutes remaining and with the crowd cheering them on Vassar maintained enough shape and controlled possession that led to a try in the far left corner for Anker. Now 16-13 it was a body blow to Fairfield who had already bounced back three times to lead. Vassar kept up the pressure and eventually earned a penalty when the Fairfield Number 8 did not roll away and Anker slotted it between the uprights to give Vassar a 6 point lead.

The final few minutes were frenetic as Fairfield smashed forward to get the try that if converted would give them a dramatic 1-point win. Vassar's Adam Steel, who celebrated his 22nd birthday today, was given a wonderful present when his kick that had been charged down did not lead to that try! The rookie number 9 had a strong game and deserves mention for his massive work rate.

The Metropolitan New York Rugby Conference is very tight this year and next week old rivals Seton Hall University visit Poughkeepsie for what could be another battle of well-matched teams.

Team: 15 Hayden Moon 14 Jerry Dieudonne 13 Karl Foley 12 Akeel St. Vil 11 Brett Anker 10 James Purtle 9 Adam Steel 1 Joe Karpman 2 Hal Moore 3 Dan Flynn 4 Jonathan Chu 5 Tyler Blake 6 Ian Ruginski 7 Nic Placeres 8 Andrew Jdaydani.

Vassar "B" Out-hustled in Game 2

Vassar College Men "B" 10 v 29 Fairfield University Men "B"
Tries: Sam Thomas (1).
Cons: Nick Graham (1).
Pens: Nick Graham (1).

The visitors produced a performance of considerable physical force and direct running to establish themselves in the "B" game. Initially, the Vassar players did not compete in the rucks and it allowed Fairfield to get over the gain line and become confident. In addition the Vassar back division was poorly aligned and were under immediate pressure from the Fairfield defense. Vassar shipped 2 tries in the first half but more telling was the fact that they had not really enjoyed any significant territory or possession. A lone penalty from flyhalf Nick Graham meant that it was 12-3 at the interval.

The second half was a more competitive affair but player started slipping off tackles. Too often they reached with their arms to tackle a runner and at best hauled him down way after contact. Vassar did have the consolation of a Sam Thomas try after a mix up in the Fairfield backfield and the final was 29-10.

Team: 15 Myles Jarrett 14 Kenta Hasui 13 Tom Rafferty 12 Michael Nishimura 11 Miguel Salcedo 10 Nick Graham 9 Brett Anker 1 Austin Khym 2 Alex Voynow 3 Jehan Shams 4 Jonah Bleckner 5 Brandon Greene 6 Ian Ruginski 7 Sam Thomas 8 Parker Reeves. Subs: Jonathan Chu for Ian Ruginski.